Page 57 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
“I don’t see it. Evan is dark like his father, and Mikey is as blond as any Marshall.”
Annie laughed. “Not in looks, but both are sparing with their words and bursting with energy.”
“They are that.” The two women chuckled as the boys ran in circles until they fell down.
“I love seeing Evan run about and enjoy life. When I first saw him, he was locked inside himself.” She related a story about Hugh finding his son neglected and treated like an animal and told how he’d advertised for someone to care for his boy. “He’d planned on a marriage of convenience with an older, sedate woman.” Annie chuckled. “Hugh didn’t think I could deal with Evan, but something clicked between us from the start.”
“Locked inside himself? Sounds like me.”
“Then be encouraged by what you see Evan to be now.”
Emily studied the boy. “Nothing is too hard for God, is it?”
“No, it isn’t.” Annie squeezed Emily around the shoulders. “Keep trusting.”
Emily gave a dry chuckle. “Seems I have little choice but to do so.”
They talked about their faith, Annie’s family, and the town. Every bit of information contributed to Emily feeling less and less like she lacked a life.
“It’s time I got back,” Annie said. “I like to be at home when Hugh leaves his office.”
Emily grinned at the pink stain in Annie’s cheeks. “I keep forgetting that you, with a five-year-old, have been married such a short time.”
“God has supplied the family I needed and the love I secretly wanted.” Annie’s face glowed with joy. “I pray God will supply all your needs.”
“Thank you. I think Gram is hoping to convince me to stay here. She thinks the whole town is ready to embrace the lost and lonely.” Those hadn’t been her exact words, but Emily got the feeling that’s what she meant. “And who is more lost than I?”
Annie squeezed her hands. “But not lonely, I hope.”
“How could I be lonely with so many kind people around?” But she was and would be until she knew what her past contained.
They called the boys and made their way back home. Annie turned in at the manse, and Emily continued onward.
She and Gram had fallen into a routine of sorts. Gram made dinner, and Emily made supper. Cooking came easily to her, though she had to be careful not to cook too much. Gram said it indicated she was used to preparing meals for a big family.
She went into the kitchen and started the meal. If she’d cooked for a large family, shouldn’t she have some recollection of them? Were those people siblings or children, or had she run an eating establishment? She must have been extremely busy if she was a seamstress, as well. “Why can’t I remember?” she murmured.
“Talking to yourself now?” Jesse leaned in the open doorway.
She ordered her heart back into place. “I didn’t hear you. When did you get back?”
“This very moment.” He stepped into the kitchen.
Mikey yelled a greeting and raced across the room into Jesse’s arms. He babbled and waved his arms.
“I think he’s telling you about his day.”
Jesse grinned at the boy. “It sounds like you had fun.”
Mikey nodded.
With a heart light as sunshine, Emily set the table for four and served the meal.
Jesse was back, and all was right in her world for the moment....
Jesse waiteduntil Mikey was asleep in bed before he told Gram and Emily he’d failed to find the culprits. It wasn’t for lack of trying. “I scoured the country, hoping to find their trail, but they know how to hide their tracks.”
“You did your best,” Gram said. “No one can ask more of you. Not even you.”
